Cleveland OH vs Mesa AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.2 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 36.7% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 46.8% | 4.4% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $435,670 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 71.8°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.7 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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